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Natalie MacLean

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Unreserved Wine TalkHost· podcast

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podcast2026-10-21· Unreserved Wine Talk
412: Why does a Manhattan cocktail and a hamburger make an insanely great pairing?
Why does a Manhattan cocktail and a hamburger make an insanely great pairing? Can strongly brewed black tea really scratch the itch for whiskey in a non-alcoholic Old Fashioned? How did the arrival of drinking straws make new types of cocktails possible? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Kara Newman, the author of eight cocktail books. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of one of Kara Newman's The Cocktail Cabinet . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com . I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why has Audrey Saunders' Old Cuban endured as a modern classic while so many other cocktails have disappeared? What happens when you replace the gin in a Negroni with a funky Jamaican rum? What does setting a cocktail on fire actually add beyond the theatrics? Is a Manhattan and a burger the ulti
podcast2026-10-14· Unreserved Wine Talk
411: How is the new Canadian sparkling wine, Fracette, poised to take on Champagne, Prosecco and Cava? John Boynton, CEO of Arterra Wines, reveals the strategy
France has Champagne. Italy has Prosecco. Spain has Cava. So what's the new Canadian sparkling wine style that's just launched? Will Canadians remain loyal to domestic wines once American wines return to store shelves? Is the wine industry making a costly mistake by assuming young drinkers will turn to wine as their incomes grow? How could boxed wine change the way you think about buying and enjoying wine at home? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with John Boynton, CEO of Arterra Wines Canada. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights How can boxed wine overcome its reputation for being cheap and become a practical choice for everyday drinking? Why does John believe large-format wine offers one of the best values in the alcohol category? If Friday nights are increasingly spent at home, how can wine become more relevant to the people sharing that occasion? Is the idea of one bottle for everyone becoming
podcast2026-10-07· Unreserved Wine Talk
410: How can a bottle of wine become the invitation for Come Over October? John Boynton, CEO of Arterra Wines Canada, shares his insights
How can a bottle of wine become the invitation, slow down the moment, and create space for real conversation? Why does the wine industry need to look beyond wine itself to win back consumers? How can wine become more relevant to younger consumers? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with John Boynton. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights Why does John believe wine can help combat the growing problem of loneliness? What makes wine uniquely suited to slowing us down and creating deeper face-to-face connections? How can a bottle of wine serve as both the invitation and the excuse to spend time together? What did the first year of Come Over October reveal about people's desire for more meaningful connection? Why does John believe wine forces us to be more present in an increasingly digital world? How did Come Over October change the way John prioritizes time with his own friends and family? Why are younge
podcast2026-09-30· Unreserved Wine Talk
409: How can two rums taste completely different even though they're both made from sugar cane? Kara Newman reveals the secret
How can two rums taste completely different even though they're both made from sugar cane? What makes Jamaican rum so famously funky, and what does a dunder pit have to do with it? How does the type of ice you use change the strength, temperature, and texture of a cocktail? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Kara Newman, the author of eight cocktail books. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of one of Kara Newman's The Cocktail Cabinet . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com . I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights How did writing about stocks, bonds, and commodities eventually lead Kara to a career covering cocktails and spirits? Why does Kara see cocktail recipes as a starting point rather than a strict set of instructions? How does writing cocktail recipes on individual cards change t
podcast2026-09-23· Unreserved Wine Talk
408: How Are Modern Whisky Makers Using Blending To Capture Emotions and Experiences?
How does smoking whisky grains with elephant dung translate into flavours like raspberry and sandalwood? What does the saying "you can't turn a donkey into a racehorse" reveal about making great whisky? How are modern whisky makers using blending to capture emotions and experiences? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Kristiane Westray. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Kristiane Westray's terrific book, Savour: A Guide To Tasting and Exploring Whiskies of the World . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com . I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights How are modern whisky makers using blending to capture emotions and experiences rather than simply create consistency? Why are smaller distilleries more likely to experiment with different grains, yeasts, and production methods? How can some
podcast2026-09-16· Unreserved Wine Talk
407: In "Savour," Kristiane Westray reveals: Is smelling whisky different from smelling a glass of wine?
Is smelling or nosing whisky different from smelling a glass of wine? How did a 1960s marketing campaign convince generations of whisky drinkers that single malt was better than blended whisky? What is it like to step inside a working whisky kiln and experience peat smoke firsthand? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Kristiane Westray, author of Savour: A Guide To Tasting and Exploring Whiskies of the World . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Kristiane Westray's terrific book, Savour: A Guide To Tasting and Exploring Whiskies of the World . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com . I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What was it like stepping inside the smoky kiln at Bowmore and experiencing peated whisky production firsthand? Why did Kristiane write Savour for flavour lovers rath
podcast2026-09-09· Unreserved Wine Talk
406: How Did The Launch of the Super Premium Rosé Whispering Angel from Château D'esclans Change Provence?
How did Sacha Lichine's launch of Garrus and Whispering Angel from Château d'Esclans, which now exceeds 10 million bottles a year change Provence? What happens to a wine region when historic family estates are increasingly bought by wealthy outsiders and corporations? How can classifying wine by colour get in the way of understanding what's actually in the glass? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Liz Gabay and Ben Bernheim. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Liz Gabay and Ben Bernheim's terrific book, The Wines of Provence . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com . I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights How did Liz and Ben end up working on Kylie Minogue's Rosé? How involved are celebrities in the wines that carry their names? What happens to a wine region when historic family estat
podcast2026-09-02· Unreserved Wine Talk
405: Why Has Rosé Wine Struggled To Be Taken Seriously By Professionals Despite Its Popularity With Consumers?
How is Provence far more diverse as a wine region than just Rosé? Why has Rosé struggled to be taken seriously by wine professionals despite its enormous popularity with consumers? Does Provence make the best Rosé in the world or simply the best Rosé in its style? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Liz Gabay and Ben Bernheim. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Liz Gabay and Ben Bernheim's terrific book, The Wines of Provence . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com . I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What surprised Liz and Ben most when they started digging deeper into the wines of Provence? How do Provence's mountains, valleys, rainfall, and winds create dramatically different wine regions within a relatively small area? How have the wines of Provence changed since Liz first st
podcast2026-08-26· Unreserved Wine Talk
404: What's the difference between a lean wine and one that's thin? Maryse Chevriere on How to Sound Wine Smart
What's the difference between a wine that's lean and one that's thin? Why is asking for a "smooth" wine one of the least helpful ways to describe what you actually want? What's the fastest way to learn more about wine without feeling intimidated? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Maryse Chevriere, author of the terrific new book, How to Sound Wine Smart . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Maryse Chevriere's terrific book, How to Sound Wine Smart: An Illustrated Guide . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com . I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why does swirling completely change the personality of some wines? How can you use personal memories when describing wine? Why are wine professionals so obsessed with high-acid wines? What makes a wine lean rather than simply thin? Wh
podcast2026-08-19· Unreserved Wine Talk
403: When Do Wine Tasting Notes Become So Over-The-Top That They Stop Meaning Anything? Maryse Chevriere Talks About Descriptors That Have Jumped The Shark
How can a hospitality disaster completely change your approach to wine and service? When do wine tasting notes become so over-the-top that they stop meaning anything? What makes natural wine like an unfiltered snapshot of a single moment? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Maryse Chevriere, author of the new book How to Sound Wine Smart . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Maryse Chevriere's terrific book, How to Sound Wine Smart: An Illustrated Guide . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com . I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What was Maryse's most mortifying moment while working as a sommelier? Does wine education need more humour and plain language? What finally convinced Maryse to move from food writing into the wine world? How did working a harvest in Alsace shape the w
podcast2026-08-12· Unreserved Wine Talk
402: When Do Wine Tasting Notes Become So Over-The-Top That They Stop Meaning Anything? How To Sound Wine Smart with Marisol de la Fuente
How do our personal memories shape the aromas we recognize in wine? What incredible Argentine wines are people missing when they focus only on Malbec? Why do food and wines from the same region often pair beautifully even when they break the usual rules? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Marisol de la Fuente. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights How did a student's memory of his grandmother help Marisol explain aroma in wine tasting? Why might an old wine remind someone of sushi? Why does Torrontés pair unexpectedly well with Argentine empanadas? How can molecular pairing create surprising matches like white chocolate with caviar? Why does Marisol say wine changes with age rather than automatically improving? What is the biggest misconception people have about aging wine? Why does Marisol believe Argentina is known too narrowly for Malbec? What does Argentina need to do better to show the world
podcast2026-08-05· Unreserved Wine Talk
401: How Did Argentina Help Save Europe's Vineyards During The Devastating Phylloxera Crisis?
How did Argentina help save Europe's vineyards during the devastating phylloxera crisis? Why is wine still treated as an exclusive product despite being more accessible than ever? How can vineyards that endure extreme temperatures still produce elegant, vibrant wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Marisol de la Fuente. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights What made Marisol leave a successful corporate career to become a sommelier? Why did Marisol build her wine content around beginners instead of wine experts? How did identifying a single aroma in a wine tasting convince Marisol she belonged in the wine world? What wine myths does Marisol most want consumers to stop believing? Which modern wine trends are actually thousands of years old? Why is wine still treated as an exclusive product, despite being more accessible than ever? How did Argentina help save Europe's vineyards during the phyll
podcast2026-07-29· Unreserved Wine Talk
400: Why Is The Daiquiri Used As A Litmus Test To See If A Bartender Can Make A Decent Drink?
Why is the Daiquiri with just rum, lime and sugar used as a litmus test to see if a bartender is capable of making a decent drink? What is oleo saccharum and why is it a gorgeous way to sweeten sophisticated cocktails? What is tepeche and why do fermenting pineapples make a delicious cocktail? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Kaitlyn Stewart, author of Three Cheers: Cocktails Three Ways: Classics, Riffs, and Zero-Proof Sips . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Kaitlyn Stewart's terrific new book, Three Cheers: Cocktails Three Ways: Classics, Riffs, and Zero-Proof Sips . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why did bartenders once spend 12 minutes shaking a single Ramos Gin Fizz? W
podcast2026-07-22· Unreserved Wine Talk
399: How Does It Feel Competing Against The World's Best Bartenders Making Six Cocktails in Six Minutes in Front of a Large Audience?
How does it feel competing against the world's best bartenders making six cocktails in six minutes in front of a large audience? How can bartending become a form of storytelling instead of simply making drinks? How did the Mojito begin as a 16th-century medical remedy? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Kaitlyn Stewart, the first Canadian to win the prestigious title of World Class Bartender of the Year and author of the book, Three Cheers: Cocktails Three Ways: Classics, Riffs, and Zero-Proof Sips . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Kaitlyn Stewart's terrific new book, Three Cheers: Cocktails Three Ways: Classics, Riffs, and Zero-Proof Sips . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights H
podcast2026-07-15· Unreserved Wine Talk
398: How Did One Decision Trigger Sherry's Decline From Britain's Favourite Drink?
How did a single decision trigger Sherry's decline from Britain's favourite drink? What would it take for Sherry to make a comeback after decades of decline? How can you make the most out of your trip to the Sherry region of Spain? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Ben Howkins, author of a new book on Sherry. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Ben Howkin's terrific book, Sherry: Maligned, Misunderstood, Magnificent! To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why was Pedro Ximénez once considered too valuable to bottle on its own? Why did Shakespeare mention Sherry so often in his plays? How did Sherry become one of the world's most popular wines before its dramatic decline? How did one bus
podcast2026-07-08· Unreserved Wine Talk
397: How Does The Solera System Give Every Glass Of Sherry Centuries Of History?
How does the Solera system give every glass of sherry centuries of history? How does Sherry's "second terroir" shape the wine just as much as the vineyard itself? Why should every great wine cellar have mature, dry Sherry? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Ben Howkins, who has just published a new book on Sherry. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Ben Howkin's terrific book, Sherry: Maligned, Misunderstood, Magnificent! To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights How did Ben win one of the wine world's most prestigious scholarships with a single word? Why does Ben still remember his very first glass of Fino Sherry more than 60 years later? What makes the Solera system one of the most remark
podcast2026-07-01· Unreserved Wine Talk
396: Can Bordeaux Reinvent Itself? How One of Wine's Greatest Regions is Adapting to a Changing World
Can Bordeaux adapt to changing wine tastes without losing its identity? Bordeaux is pulling up thousands of hectares of vines because of overproduction. How does Mouton Cadet's model offer a way out for some wine growers? How are modern Bordeaux producers, like Mouton Cadet, creating wines with more energy, smoothness, and drinkability for today's consumers? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Véronique Hombroekx, the Managing Director for the Mouton Cadet Brand and Jérôme Aguirre, Director, Mouton Cadet Wines, about their Fair for Life program. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights Why did Canada become one of the first markets chosen for Mouton Cadet's Fair for Life launch? What does the success of Fair for Life wines in Canada reveal about today's wine consumers? Why does Veronique see consumer support as a direct investment in the future of winegrowers? How is Mouton Cadet helping consumers un
podcast2026-06-24· Unreserved Wine Talk
395: Why Mouton Cadet, Bordeaux, decide that sustainability needed to include people, not just the environment?
Why did the Bordeaux wine Mouton Cadet decide that sustainability needed to include people, not just the environment? Why is the Fair for Life certification that's focused on people, community, and respect the environment a perfect fit for Mouton Cadet? What does it mean to create trust with more than 100 grape growers that lasts for generations? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Véronique Hombroekx, the Managing Director for the Mouton Cadet Brand and Jérôme Aguirre, Director, Mouton Cadet Wines, about their Fair for Life program. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights What made Veronique believe fair trade principles could work for a Bordeaux wine brand on the scale of Mouton Cadet? Why did a small Fair for Life label on another Bordeaux wine inspire a major change at Mouton Cadet? What was missing from Mouton Cadet's sustainability strategy before Fair for Life was introduced? Why did Mouton C
podcast2026-06-17· Unreserved Wine Talk
394: Soil, Soul, and the Sacred Cup: Wine in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament
How did wine transform biblical meals into symbols of the covenant in the ancient world? Why did overflowing vineyards and giant clusters of grapes become such powerful symbols of the Promised Land? Why did religious leaders label Jesus a glutton, a drunkard, and a friend of sinners? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Professor Mark Scarlata, author of Wine, Soil, and Salvation in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights What makes the Bible's first meal with bread and wine so significant? Why does the "cup of salvation" become one of the Bible's most enduring images? How did wine become the ultimate symbol of communion in the Christian faith? Why did the spies return from the Promised Land carrying an enormous cluster of grapes? Why do biblical visions of salvation so often involve overflowing wine and lavish feasts? Why was abundant wine associated with the
podcast2026-06-10· Unreserved Wine Talk
393: Why does wine play a central role in the Bible and our culture, symbolizing abundance and joy, and not other food or drink? Dr. Mark Scarlata shares the story
How does biking through wine country help you better understand the wines? Why has wine held a unique place in the Bible and our culture when so many other foods like milk, olive oil, honey, dates, and pomegranates symbolize abundance and blessing? How do the aromas and complexity of wine create such deep connections to memory in the brain? Why do so many people feel disconnected in modern life despite being more connected than ever? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Professor Mark Scarlata, author of the new book Wine, Soil, and Salvation in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights What did cycling through French wine country teach Mark about the connection between wine, land, and place? Why did a biblical scholar decide to write a book about wine? What surprised Mark most when he began researching wine in the Bible? Why are wine, soil, and salvation so clo
podcast2026-06-03· Unreserved Wine Talk
392: What makes a well-made Mint Julep Cocktail much more complex than you expect? James Chatto reveals the secret
What makes a properly made mint julep much more complex than people expect? How did an Indian revolutionary leader end up creating one of Japan's most famous curry recipes? How did a recipe collected during a 1930s concert tour in Indonesia become the legendary Queen Mother's Cake, different from every other chocolate cake you've ever had? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with James Chatto, co-author of the terrific new book Acquired Tastes: The Lives and Recipes of Eight Culinary Ambassadors . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of James Chatto's new book, Acquired Tastes: The Lives and Recipes of Eight Culinary Ambassadors . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What makes the mint jule
podcast2026-05-27· Unreserved Wine Talk
391: Acquired Tastes: The Lives and Recipes of Eight Culinary Ambassadors with James Chatto
What did lasagna taste like in Renaissance Italy before tomatoes and ragù became standard? Why are some of Thailand's most iconic royal desserts rooted in Portuguese convent recipes? How did a chance conversation at dinner unexpectedly unlock hidden pieces of food history? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with James Chatto, co-author of the terrific new book Acquired Tastes: The Lives and Recipes of Eight Culinary Ambassadors . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of James Chatto's new book, Acquired Tastes: The Lives and Recipes of Eight Culinary Ambassadors . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why did James transition from acting and music into a career as a food writer? What did Jame
podcast2026-05-20· Unreserved Wine Talk
390: What's The Difference Between Drinking For Pleasure And Drinking For Relief? Dr. Charles Knowles Reveals The Difference
What's the difference between drinking for pleasure and drinking for relief? How does your body's early reaction to alcohol predict your long-term risk of developing alcohol dependence? How do some people drink heavily for years without developing the same dependence that others struggle to escape? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dr. Charles Knowles, author of Why We Drink Too Much: The New Science of Alcohol . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Charles Knowles' new book, Why We Drink Too Much: The New Science of Alcohol . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights When does alcohol shift from a social choice into biological dependence? Why can people with alcohol dependence end up d
podcast2026-05-13· Unreserved Wine Talk
389: Why is moderation easy for some people, yet impossible for others? Dr. Charles Explains In Why We Drink Too Much: The New Science of Alcohol
What can your first experiences with alcohol tell you about the relationship you'll have with it later in life? Are we fighting with our own biology when it comes to alcohol? Why is moderation impossible for some people? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dr. Charles Knowles, author of Why We Drink Too Much: The New Science of Alcohol . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Charles Knowles' new book, Why We Drink Too Much: The New Science of Alcohol . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights How did Charles' initial attempt at a memoir expand to explore the science behind why we drink alcohol? Why did Charles feel it was essential to present alcohol research without oversimplifying? Why
podcast2026-05-06· Unreserved Wine Talk
388: What Are the Insider Tips to Discovering and Buying the Best Cheese of Your Life? with Michael Finnerty
Why does buying from a good cheese shop often beat picking up a wedge from the supermarket? How do people underestimate the physical labor and other demands of being a cheesemonger? How does using a cheese iron reveal where a wheel of cheese is in its life? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Michael Finnerty, author of the terrific new book The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Michael Finnerty's new book, The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why do so many people underestimate the physical labor and other demands behind life as a cheesemonger? How does using a cheese iron re
podcast2026-04-28· Unreserved Wine Talk
387: The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul With Michael Finnerty
Why do some wine and cheese pairings taste better together than either one alone? Why do some wines collapse when paired with certain cheeses? What will surprise you about cheese that's similar to wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Michael Finnerty, author of the terrific new book The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Michael Finnerty's new book, The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why do some wine and cheese pairings taste better together than alone? Why did a natural red wine collapse when paired with Camembert? How do acidity and bubbles transform rich cheese? How d
podcast2026-04-22· Unreserved Wine Talk
386: How Did a World Memory Champion, a Theatre Director, a Voice Coach, a TV Actor, and a Professional Magician Help Gerard Basset Win the World's Best Sommelier Competition?
How did a world memory champion, a theatre director, a voice coach, a TV actor, and a professional magician all help one person win the World's Best Sommelier Competition? How do top performers use nerves and adrenaline to their advantage? What do high achievers do when they accomplish the dreams they've been chasing for years? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Nina and Romané Basset, who have just published a commemorative edition of the book Tasting Victory: The Life and Wine of the World's Favourite Sommelier by Gerard Basset. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Nina and Romané Basset's commemorative edition of Tasting Victory: The Life and Wines of the World's Favorite Sommelier by Gerard Basset. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people rand
podcast2026-04-15· Unreserved Wine Talk
385: How Did Discovering Wine Lead Gérard Basset to Become the World's Best Sommelier?
How did Gérard Basset discover wine and then go on to become the World's Best Sommelier? What does truly exceptional hospitality look like in practice? How did a man with no fine dining background develop such a deep understanding of what excellence looked and felt like? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Nina and Romané Basset, who have just published a commemorative edition of the book Tasting Victory: The Life and Wine of the World's Favourite Sommelier by Gerard Basset. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Nina and Romané Basset's commemorative edition of Tasting Victory: The Life and Wines of the World's Favorite Sommelier by Gerard Basset. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What
podcast2026-04-08· Unreserved Wine Talk
384: Is It the Wine or Is It You? Alan Ramey on What Really Makes Wine Taste Good
Is a fully organic future in agriculture possible or even affordable, or are there limits to how far we can go? Why has biodynamics thrived in wine when many of its founder's ideas were rejected in medicine and education? How much of what you enjoy in wine comes from what's in the glass versus your mental perception of what you're drinking? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Alan Ramey, author of Pressing Matters: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries that have Shaped the World of Wine . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Alan Ramey's terrific new book, Pressing Matters: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries that have Shaped the World of Wine . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highligh
podcast2026-04-01· Unreserved Wine Talk
383: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries That Have Shaped the World of Wine Like Organics With Alan Ramey, Author of Pressing Matters
What might surprise you about the amount of research on organic versus conventional farming when it comes to winemaking? Why are many strong opinions in wine accepted without much challenge or push for validation? Why are traditional wine regions being forced to balance heritage with visibility and branding in today's market? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Alan Ramey, author of the new book, Pressing Matters: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries that have Shaped the World of Wine . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Alan Ramey's terrific new book, Pressing Matters: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries that have Shaped the World of Wine . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlight

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383: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries That Have Shaped the World of Wine Like Organics With Alan Ramey, Author of Pressing Matters